If the city needs to borrow money to replace old buildings or build new facilities wouldn’t it make sense to take the projects out to bid and figure out how much money they will actually need instead of trying to get us to sign a blank check that they can use however they want?
A blank check is what they want.
Read You’ve been warned.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
The bond presentation includes this tiny footnote, which will not be included in the pro-bond advertising campaign:
” * Amounts listed are preliminary estimates subject to change. Actual use of any approved bond funds will be determined by subsequent action of City Council.”
The bond presentation was put together by Gonzalez and team. That means that both the city manager and city council are conspiring to run up debt to obtain nearly a half billion dollars that they can spend however they choose.
They could even spend that money on a new soccer stadium for their benefactors or to fund an even bigger downtown arena if they are permitted to build one.
After all the short-falls on the ballpark construction and other Quality of Life projects, they still refuse to do the work to get better estimates. They also refuse to be honest about their intentions and motives.
But who can or will spend money to mount an anti-bond campaign?
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Here is an agenda item for the EPISD. I may be wrong but it looks to me like this is a six million dollar blank check given to the administration to spend as they wish on construction projects. The projects will not have to be approved by the Board of Trustee again.
SUMMARY:
The Interlocal Cooperative Agreement is one of seven (7) methods identified by Texas Education Code 44.031. Board Policy CH (Local) states “The Superintendent shall also be authorized to approve budgeted purchases of materials and supplies utilizing Interlocal Cooperative Agreement contracts up to $100,000.00 per vendor in the aggregate of a twelve (12) month period.” These expenditures are projected to exceed the $100,000.00 limit in the aggregate of a twelve (12) month period.
Administration requests approval to use Region 19 Allied States Cooperative, RFP #18-7293 Job Order Contracting and Facilities Construction Services – State of New Mexico, to have immediate resources available for maintenance, repair, alterations, renovation, remediation, or minor construction of a facility when the work is of a recurring nature but the delivery times, type, and quantities of work required are indefinite.
By utilizing this Interlocal Cooperative Agreement, the District will be utilizing the job order contracts procured by the cooperative. Job order contracting is one of the methods of construction delivery services permitted pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 2269, as set forth in Subchapter I. The Board must approve any project with a value of more than $500,000.00, by statute.
This Contract will provide numerous vendors, which provide these services and will allow the District to have the flexibility and the availability to obtain needed services promptly and in a timely manner. In addition, the District will have access to contracts with local vendors.
ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATION/MOTION:
It is recommended by Ms. Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations; Mr. Ron Gatlin, Executive Director of Procurement and School Resources; and Mrs. Elizabeth B. Sida, Purchasing Agent, that the Board approve Job Order Contracting and Facilities Construction Services Utilizing Region 19 Allied States Cooperative, RFP #18-7293 Job Order Contracting and Facilities Construction Services – State of New Mexico, in an estimated amount not to exceed a total of $6,000,000.00, utilizing various funding sources.
FUNDING SOURCE: Budgeted Federal, State, Local, Bond, and Grant Funds
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It would be too much work and effort for them to try to figure out the cost ahead of time. Besides they will use the money as they see fit anyways. Look at the downtown arena.
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The city manager actually thinks it’s “his money,” He uses that kind of language.
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Look at his contract. A nice chunk of your money is his money.
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Bet he is not in the same league as the Episd Super!
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